The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) has urged patients to prioritise safety when considering steroid injections for hay fever relief.
BCAM shares that, following reports of growing popularity, some clinics are promoting the injections to relieve symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses, but warns that their use raises concerns about patient safety, informed consent and whether patients fully understand the risks. BCAM adds that long-acting steroid injections containing triamcinolone acetonide are not licensed in the UK specifically for hay fever treatment and are not considered a routine first-line option.
Dr Rebecca Norman, vice president of BCAM, said, “We understand why patients suffering with severe hay fever are attracted to the idea of a single injection that appears to solve the problem for months. However, many patients are unaware that this is a powerful steroid medication that circulates throughout the entire body, not just the nose or eyes where symptoms occur. Patients should be fully informed of both the benefits and the risks before agreeing to treatment.”